Six Stances for the believer during pre-decreed difficult times

When something pre-decreed happens to the servant, and it is something which he dislikes, then he must adopt six stances regarding it:

1. The stance of Tawheed:

 

And that Allaah is the One Who decreed it, willed it, and created it. Whatever Allaah willed occurs, and whatever He did not will shall not occur.

 

2. The stance of Justice (al-'Adl):

 

And that His Judgement applies and occurs upon him, and whatever He ordains concerning him is fully just.

 

3. The stance of Mercy (ar-Rahmah):

 

And that His Mercy in this decreed matter outweighs His Anger, and His punishing; and that Mercy is its basis.

 

4. The stance of Wisdom (al-Hikmah):

 

And that His Wisdom - He the One free of all imperfections - necessitated that it should occur. He did not ordain it without purpose, or frivolously.

 

5. The stance of Praise (al-Hamd):

 

And that He - the Perfect - deserves full praise for that, from every aspect.

 

6. The stance of Servitude (al-'Uboodiyyah):

 

And that he is entirely a slave, in every sense. The Judgements and Decrees of his Master apply and occur upon him, since he belongs to Him and is His slave. So He controls him such that he is under His Decrees which relate to the creation, just as He controls him in his being under His Judgements relating to the Religion. So it is fully appropriate that these Decrees occur upon him.

 Source: Al-Fawaa`id of Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim

Liver of Fish the first food of the people of Paradise.

Q. Why is liver of fish considered as the first food in heaven? it is said to purify our stomach in heaven this is done, is this true?.

A. Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

It is proven in the saheeh Sunnah that the first food offered to welcome the people of Paradise when they enter it will be “the caudate lobe of whale liver”. That is mentioned in the hadeeth of Thawbaan, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), according to which one of the Jewish rabbis came to ask the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about some matters to test him.

In the hadeeth it says:

The Jewish man said: What will be presented to them first when they enter Paradise?
He said: “Caudate lobe of whale liver.”
He said: What food will be given to them after that?
He said: “The bull of Paradise, which used to graze along its edges, will be slaughtered for them.”
He said: What will their drink be?
He said: “From a spring there that is called Salsabeel.” …
Narrated by Muslim, 315

Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The words “What will be presented to them” refer to that with which a man is welcomed.
Ibraaheem al-Halabi said: It is usually good quality fruits.
End quote from Sharh Muslim, 3/227

He also said:
This refers to a whale, according to scholarly consensus… As for the caudate lobe of the liver, this is a separate piece that is attached to the liver and it is the best part of it.
End quote from Sharh Muslim, 17/135-136

That is also proven in other saheeh hadeeths in as-Saheehayn and as-Sunan. We quoted this particular hadeeth because of what it contains of differentiating between the first food presented to the people of Paradise, which is the caudate lobe of fish liver, and the food that they will eat after that, which is the meat of the “bull of Paradise”.

Secondly:

We could not find anything to indicate the wisdom behind the caudate lobe of whale liver being the first food presented to the people of Paradise, but we believe that Allah’s wisdom is great and that Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, is the All-Knowing, Most Wise, and that He said of Himself (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses, no choice have they (in any matter). Glorified be Allah, and exalted above all that they associate as partners (with Him)”
[al-Qasas 28:68].

That should not prevent some of the scholars from trying to see the wisdom behind the choice of the caudate lobe of whale liver in particular. Some of them said that this is an indication of the end of this world, which is a transient abode, and moving to Paradise, which is an eternal abode, because the fish or whale is an aquatic animal which is indicative of the essence of life on earth, and the bull is a land animal which is indicative of tilling the soil and earning a living, so the people of Paradise are given these two things to eat to signal the end of this world and the beginning of the Hereafter.
 See: Rooh al-Ma‘aani by al-Aloosi, 7/94

Thirdly:

With regard to the benefits of the caudate lobe of fish liver, they are many, as has been discussed by doctors and nutrition specialists. Among these benefits are: lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood, reducing fat in the body, and lessening joint pain. It is also rich in vitamin D which has many benefits.

For more information on that, refer to specialist references in that field.

And Allah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/cat/226/ref/islamqa/169491

Reward for memorizing Qur’aan

Q. What is the reward for becoming a Haafiz?

A. Praise be to Allaah.  

Whoever memorizes Qur’aan and acts upon it, Allaah will reward him and honour him greatly for that, so that he will rise in status in Paradise to a level commensurate with what he memorized of the Book of Allaah.

Al-Tirmidhi (2914) and Abu Dawood (1464) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 5/218, no. 2240, after which he said:
Note that what is meant by the “companion of the Qur’aan” is the one who memorizes it by heart, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “The one who knows more Qur’aan should lead the people in prayer,” meaning the one who has memorized the most.  The differentiation in status in Paradise will depend on how much was memorized in this world, not how much one will recite on that day as some people imagine. This clearly points to the virtue of the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, but that is subject to the condition that he memorizes it for the sake of Allaah, not for worldly purposes or financial gain. Otherwise the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Most of the hypocrites of my ummah are among those who have memorized Qur’aan.”

Concerning the virtue of the hafiz who memorizes the Qur’aan, al-Bukhaari (4937) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of the one who reads Qur’aan and memorizes it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.”
For the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, praying qiyaam al-layl is easy. And the Qur’aan will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting and the Qur’aan will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’aan will say, ‘O Lord I deprived him of his sleep at night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will both intercede for him.” Narrated by Ahmad, al-Tabaraani and al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 3882
And Allaah knows best.

It should be noted here that there is a weak (da’eef) hadeeth that is quoted concerning the virtue of memorizing Qur’aan. This hadeeth says, “The bearer of the Qur’aan, if he regards what it permits as halaal and what it forbids as haraam, he will intercede for ten of his family members on the Day of Resurrection, all of whom deserved to enter Hell.” This was narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan (The Branches of Faith) from Jaabir; it was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Jaami’.

Islam Q&A
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/20803

The Ten Commandments in the Qur'aan

Q. I'm trying to determine if there is anything in the Quran similar to the Ten Commandents in the Old Testament, particularly the line "thou shalt not kill." i have been using search functions on several Quran translation sites to no avail.
A. Praise be to Allaah.

Thank you for your question, which shows an interest in the Qu’ran. We are happy to answer your question here.

There are in the Qur’an certain aayaat (verses) which some scholars call the verses of the Ten Commandments, because they include ten important commandments given by Allaah to mankind. These aayaat are to be found in two passages of the Qur’an.

The first is in Soorat al-An’aam, where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to al-fawaahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.

And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e., judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allaah. This He commands you, that you may remember.

And, verily, this (i.e., Allaah’s commandments mentioned in the above two verses) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-An’aam 6:151-153]

The second passage occurs in Soorat al-Israa’, and may be considered as a commentary on the passage quoted above. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one or them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honour.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is ever Most-Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.

And give to the kindred his due and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the shayaateen (devils), and the Shaytaan (Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

And if you turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarers, etc. whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft kind word (i.e., Allaah will give to me and I will give to you).

And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, not stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty.

Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straitens (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His slaves.

And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely the killing of them is a great sin.

And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a faahishah [i.e., anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him).

And do not kill anyone which Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed (intentionally with hostility and aggression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand qisaas – Law of Equality in punishment – or to forgive, or to take Diya (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e., he should not kill except the killer only). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law).

And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about.

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good (advantageous) and better in the end.

And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned by Allaah.

And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like that of the mountains in height.

All the bad aspects of these (the above mentioned things) are hateful to your Lord.

This is part of al-hikmah (wisdom, good manners and high character, etc.) which your Lord has inspired to you (O Muhammad). And set not up with Allaah any other ilaah (god) lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allaah’s mercy).” [al-Israa’ 17:23-39]

Perhaps after enjoying reading these verses, you will have a better idea of the Qur’aan than before, and this will be the beginning of a fundamental change in your life, the start of your way to Islam. May Allaah guide and help you always. Peace be upon those who follow true guidance..

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Ref: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/2273

Opportunit​y for Repentance before a sin one commits is written by the scribes.

إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الشَّمَالِ لَيَرفَعُ الْقَلَمَ سِتَّ سَاعَاتٍ عَنِ الْعَبْدِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْمُخْطِئ – أَوْ الْمُسِيء – ، فَإِنْ نَدِمَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ اللهَ مِنْهَا أَلْقَاهَا ، وَإِلاَّ كُتِبَتْ وَاحِدَهً

The occupier of the left; raises [and holds] his pen for six hours from the Muslim servant who has wronged or committed a mistake, so if he regrets and seeks Allaah’s forgiveness from it: he returns it back, and if that is not the case; then it is written as one. (Saheeh Jam’i as-Sagheer: 2097)


 Abu Umaamah (radhiyaAllaahu anhu) reported from the Messenger of Allaah (sallahAllaahu alayhi wasallam) said:

إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الشَّمَالِ لَيَرفَعُ الْقَلَمَ سِتَّ سَاعَاتٍ عَنِ الْعَبْدِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْمُخْطِئ – أَوْ الْمُسِيء – ، فَإِنْ نَدِمَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ اللهَ مِنْهَا أَلْقَاهَا ، وَإِلاَّ كُتِبَتْ وَاحِدَهً

“The occupier of the left; raises [and holds] his pen for six hours –from the Muslim servant [of Allaah] who has wronged or committed a mistake- ;  so if he regrets and seeks Allaah’s forgiveness from it: he returns it back, and if that is not the case; then it is written as one.”
 Source: Mu’jam al-Kabeer: 7765, Saheeh Jam’i as-Sagheer: 2097 – Imaam Albaanee said it is hasan.

Lessons & Benefits:
- Proof that there are Angels scribing the deeds of each one of us.
- Affirmation that there are two different Angels; one on the right [for the good deeds], and one on the left [for the sins].
- The importance of hastening onto the forgiveness of Allaah.
- The great importance of regretting from committing sins – and that it is a large part of- seeking forgiveness and/or repentance.
- The great, encompassing mercy of Allaah: such that we have six hours before the sin is written.
- The great, encompassing mercy of Allaah: such that a sin is only written as one, and not multiplied. While the good deeds are multiplied from ten upto seven hundred times.

Acceptance of Repentance

Acceptance of Repentance

Q. I have committed a great sin and I prayed to Allaah and asked Him to forgive me. Will my repentance from that sin be accepted? I feel that my repentance has not been accepted and that Allaah is angry with me. Are there any indications that repentance has been accepted?.

-----------------------------------------------

A. Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Making mistakes and falling short are undoubtedly part of human nature and no one will be free of shortcomings in his obedience to Allaah, or free of mistakes or forgetfulness or sins. All of us fall short, commit sins, and make mistakes. Sometimes we turn to Allaah and sometimes we turn away from Him. Sometimes we remember that Allaah is watching and sometimes we become negligent. None of us is free of sin, and we will inevitably make mistakes. We are not infallible. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if you did not commit sin Allaah would do away with you and bring people who would commit sin then pray for forgiveness.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2749)
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2499; classed as hasan by al-Albaani)

By His mercy towards weak man, Allaah has opened the gate of repentance to him, and has commanded him to turn to Him, every time sin overwhelms him. Were it not for that, man would suffer a great deal of hardship and would not have the drive to draw closer to his Lord; he would lose all hope of His forgiveness and pardon. Repentance is something that is necessary as a result of man’s shortcomings and human failings.

Allaah has enjoined repentance on all kinds of people in this ummah: those who are foremost in good deeds, those who follow a middle course, and those who wrong their own selves by doing haraam things (cf. Faatir 35:32).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”
[al-Noor 24:31]

“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance!”
[al-Tahreem 66:8]

And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“O people, repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness, for I repent one hundred times a day.”. (Narrated by Muslim, 2702 from the hadeeth of al-Agharr al-Muzani (may Allaah be pleased with him))

Allaah has bestowed His mercy and encompassed His slaves with his kindness. He is Forbearing and does not punish us or destroy us straightaway, rather He gives us respite, and He commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to proclaim His generosity:

“Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Zumar 39:53 – interpretation of the meaning].

And He says, out of kindness towards His slaves (interpretation of the meaning):

“Will they not turn with repentance to Allaah and ask His forgiveness? For Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Maa'idah 5:74]

“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death)”
[Ta-Ha 20:82]

“And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allaah and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and none can forgive sins but Allaah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:135]

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah’s forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Nisa’ 4:110]

Allaah calls to repentance those who committed the gravest form of shirk and sin, those who say that ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) is the son of God – exalted be Allaah far above what the wrongdoers say.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Will they not turn with repentance to Allaah and ask His forgiveness? For Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Maa’idah 5:74]

And He opens the door of repentance to the hypocrites, who are worse than the kuffaar who openly show their kufr. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.

146. Except those who repent (from hypocrisy), do righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allaah, and purify their religion for Allaah (by worshipping none but Allaah, and do good for Allaah’s sake only, not to show off), then they will be with the believers. And Allaah will grant the believers a great reward”
[al-Nisa’ 4:145-146]

One of the attributes of the Lord is that He accepts repentance and rejoices over it by His grace. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do”
[al-Shoora 42:25]

“Know they not that Allaah accepts repentance from His slaves and takes the Sadaqaat (alms, charity), and that Allaah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?”
[al-Tawbah 9:104]

It was narrated that Abu Hamzah Anas ibn Maalik al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him), the servant of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah rejoices more over the repentance of His slave than any one of you who finds his camel after having lost it in a desolate land.” (Agreed upon).

According to a report narrated by Muslim (2747):
“Allaah rejoices more over the repentance of His slave than any one of you if he is on his camel in a desolate land, then it runs away from him and on it is his food and drink, and he despairs of finding it, so he goes to a tree and lies down in its shade, having despaired of finding his camel, then while he is like that, it suddenly appears in front of him and he takes hold of its reins and says, because of his intense joy, ‘O Allaah, You are my slave and I am your lord,’ making this mistake because of the intensity of his joy.”

It was narrated from Abu Moosa ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qays al-Ash’ari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah spreads out His hand at night to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and He spreads out His hand by day to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the night, (and that will continue) until the sun rises from the west.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2759).

It was narrated from Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death-rattle has not yet reached his throat.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3537; classed as hasan by al-Albaani.)

Secondly:

The blessings of repentance come in this world and in the Hereafter, some are visible and some are hidden. The rewards of repentance are: purity of heart, erasing of sins and increasing of hasanaat (good deeds). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allaah will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them and (with their Records Books of deeds) in their right hands. They will say: ‘Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Siraat (a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely] and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things’”
[al-Tahreem 66:8]

The reward of repentance is a good life in the shade of faith, contentment, peace of mind and tranquility. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words)”
[Hood 11:3]

The reward of repentance is blessings coming down from heaven, blessings coming from the earth, an increase in one’s wealth and offspring, blessings in productivity, good physical health and protection from diseases. Allaah says of Hood (peace be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):

“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah)”
[Hood 11:52]

Thirdly:

Everyone who repents to Allaah, Allaah accepts his repentance. The caravan of those who have repented to Allaah will not be interrupted until the sun rises from the west.

One repented from banditry, another from adultery, and others from drinking alcohol, taking drugs, severing the ties of kinship, not praying or being too lazy to pray in congregation, disobeying parents, dealing in riba (usury) and bribes, stealing, shedding blood, consuming people’s wealth unlawfully, or smoking. Anyone who repents to Allaah from any sin is to be congratulated, because it is as if they have been born anew through their sincere repentance.

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Sa’d ibn Maalik ibn Sinaan al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“There was among the people who came before you a man who killed ninety-nine people. Then he asked about the most knowledgeable person on earth, and was directed to a hermit, so he went to him, told him that he had killed ninety-nine people, and asked if he could be forgiven. The hermit said, ‘No,’ so he killed him, thus completing one hundred.
Then he asked about the most knowledgeable person on earth and was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred people, and asked whether he could be forgiven. The scholar said, ‘Yes, what could possibly come between you and repentance? Go to such-and-such a town, for in it there are people who worship Allaah. Go and worship with them, and do not go back to your own town, for it is a bad place.”
So the man set off, but when he was halfway there, the angel of death came to him, and the angels of mercy and the angels of wrath began to argue over him. The angels of mercy said: ‘He had repented and was seeking Allaah.’ The angels of wrath said: ‘He never did any good thing.’ An angel in human form came to them, and they asked him to decide the matter. He said: ‘Measure the distance between the two lands (his home town and the town he was headed for), and whichever of the two he is closest to is the one to which he belongs.’ So they measured the distance, and found that he was closer to the town for which he had been headed, so the angels of mercy took him.” (Agreed upon).

According to a version narrated by Muslim (2716): “He was closer to the righteous town by a handspan, so he was counted among its people.”

According to a version narrated by al-Bukhaari (3470): “Allaah commanded (the righteous town) to draw closer and (the evil town) to move away, and he said: “Measure the distance between them,’ and he was found to be closer to (the righteous town) by a handspan, so he was forgiven.”

According to a version narrated by Muslim: “He leaned with his chest towards it”.

What is meant by repentance is returning to Allaah, giving up sin and hating it, and regretting falling short in obedience to Allaah.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Repentance is essential from every sin, even if it is something between a person and Allaah and has nothing to do with the rights of another person. There are three conditions of repentance:

1- You should give up the sin
2- You should regret having done it
3- You should resolve never to go back to it.

If one of these three is missing, then your repentance is not sincere. If the sin has to do with the rights of another person, then there are four conditions: the three mentioned above and restoring the rights of that person. If it is money or property, etc, it must be returned to him; if it had to do with slandering him etc, then you should allow him to insult him in return, or ask for his forgiveness; if it had to do with backbiting about him, then you have to ask for his pardon. It is essential to repent from all sins; if a person repents from some, his repentance from the sins from which he repented is valid – according to the scholars who follow the right path – but he must still repent from the rest as well.
End quote.

Based on the above, if these conditions are met by the person who is repenting, then there is the hope that his repentance will be accepted, by Allaah’s leave. After that he should not worry about waswaas (whispers) suggesting that his repentance is not accepted, because that is from the Shaytaan and is contrary to what Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) have told us, that repentance is accepted if it is sincere.

See also questions no. 624, 13630, 13990, 14289 and 34905.

Islam Q&A

Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/46683

Ridding oneself of Arrogance

Ridding oneself of arrogance

Q. How should a person come over arrogance?

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Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Arrogance is a blameworthy characteristic which is the feature of Iblees and his cohorts in this world, those on whose hearts Allaah has placed a seal.

The first one who showed arrogance towards Allaah and His creation was the accursed Iblees, when Allaah commanded him to prostrate to Adam and he refused and was arrogant, and said, “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.”

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves to Adam’, and they prostrated themselves, except Iblees (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves.

(Allaah) said: ‘What prevented you (O Iblees) that you did not prostrate yourself, when I commanded you?’ Iblees said: ‘I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay’”
[Qur'an, al-A’raaf 7:11-12]

Arrogance is one of the characteristics of Iblees, so whoever wants to be arrogant should realize that he is acquiring a characteristic of the devils, and that he is not acquiring a characteristic of the noble angels who obeyed their Lord and fell down prostrate.

Moreover, arrogance may be the cause of a person being deprived of Paradise and may mean that the Lord of Glory will not even look at him, as it says in the following two ahaadeeth:

1 – It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He said, “Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”
[Narrated by Muslim, 91]

2 – It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever lets his garment drag along the ground out of pride, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.” Abu Bakr said: “Sometimes my garment slips down on one side, unless I pay attention to it.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “You are not doing that out of pride.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3465]

Secondly:

Pride is an attribute that is not befitting for anyone except Allaah. Whoever seeks to compete with Allaah in that, Allaah will destroy him, wreak vengeance on him and make things difficult for him.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (S) said: “Might is His garment and pride is His cloak; whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him.”
[Narrated by Muslim, 2620]

Al-Nawawi said: This is how it is narrated in all texts. The pronoun in the words ‘His garment’ and ‘His cloak’ refers to Allaah, and there is something omitted; what is meant is ‘Allaah says, ‘whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him’.

What is meant by ‘seeks to compete with Me’ is seeking to acquire that characteristic in the sense of sharing in it.

This is a stern warning against arrogance which clearly demonstrates that it is haraam.
[Sharh Muslim, 16/173]

Everyone who tries to be arrogant and put himself above others, Allaah will bring him down among the lowest of the low, and will humiliate him, because he is going against reality, so Allaah will punish him by thwarting his aims; the punishment is to fit the crime.

The one who is arrogant towards the people will be trampled beneath the feet of the people on the Day of Resurrection, as a punishment for his arrogance.

It was narrated from ‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb via his father and grandfather that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the arrogant will be gathered like ants in the form of men. Humiliation will overwhelm them from all sides. They will be driven to a prison in Hell called Bawlas, with the hottest fire rising over them, and they will be given to drink of the juice of the inhabitants of Hell, which is teenat al-khabaal.”
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2492; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2025]

Thirdly:

Arrogance is of several types, including the following:

1 – When a person does not accept the truth and produces false arguments against it, as we have mentioned in the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood, “Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”

2 – When a person admires himself for his beauty or handsomeness, or the fineness of his food or clothing, so he feels proud and arrogant and feels superior to people.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said (or Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said):
“Whilst a man was walking, dragging his garment with pride, with his hair nicely combed, Allaah caused the earth to swallow him and he will go on sinking in it until the Day of Resurrection.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3297; Muslim, 2088]

A similar case is the story of the friend of the man whose companion spoke to him arrogantly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in the course of mutual talk: ‘I am more than you in wealth and stronger in respect of men’”
[Qur'an, al-Kahf 18:34]

It may be that he was boasting about his tribe and linage.

Fourthly:

One of the remedies for arrogance is to think of yourself as being just like other people and realize that they are like you, they were born from a mother and a father just as you were, and that taqwa (piety, fear of Allaah) is the true criterion of superiority.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[Qur'an, al-Hujuraat 49:13]

The arrogant Muslim should realize that no matter what he achieves, he is still too weak to attain a stature like the mountains in height or rend nor penetrate the earth (cf. al-Isra’ 17:37), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allaah likes not any arrogant boaster.

And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses”
[Qur'an, Luqmaan 31:18-19]

Al-Qurtubi said:

The phrase “nor walk in insolence through the earth” is a prohibition of arrogance and is enjoining humility. Marah (translated here as insolence) is excessive joy, or it was said that it means being arrogant in walking, or thinking too highly of oneself.

Qutaadah said: it means showing off in walking; or it was said that it means vanity.

All of these suggestions are close in meaning, but they may be divided into two categories: those which are blameworthy and those which are praiseworthy.

Arrogance, vanity, showing off and thinking too highly of oneself are blameworthy; joy and energy are praiseworthy.
[Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 10/260]

Another remedy for arrogance is for a person to realize that on the Day of Resurrection he will be gathered in a small form like an ant which will be trampled underfoot. Arrogant people are hated by other people just as they are hated by Allaah; people love humble, tolerant and gentle people, and they hate those who are harsh and cruel to people.

Another remedy is to remember that he and urine came out of the same place; that he began as a despised drop of sperm and he will end up as a rotten corpse, and that in between he is a vessel for faeces.  So what does he have to feel so proud and arrogant about?!

We ask Allaah to rid us all of arrogance and make us humble.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/9229

“Draw Muhammad Day” re-visited using the Islamic Principles during Times of Fitan

“Draw Muhammad Day” re-visited using the Islamic Principles during Times of Fitan

(Principles have been explained by Shaikh Salih ibn Abdul-Aziz Aal-Shaikh in the book “Islamic Principles for the Muslim’s Attitude during Times of Fitan” – Translated by Shawana A. Aziz. Download the book… here)

Last year, most of the Facebook users might have come across about “Draw Muhammad Day“ event to defame the honor of our beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). This event was planned and propagated by some of the evil-minded non-Muslims, that they all would have a contest on 20^th of May, 2010, whereby they would depict and draw the images of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The news of this contest/event caught limelight in the news channels and other broadcasts media all over the globe.

Our [Muslims] love for the Prophet (Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him) is one of their exploitation factor and we should not be surprised to see similar Fitan (pl. of Fitnah) in the future. This planned event was another disguised Fitnah (Trial and Tribulation) that would not have turned out to be so blown-out of proportion as it is being recalled today; if only some of the principles set forth by the scholars of Islam were studied, understood and adhered to by the common Muslim masses. Eventually, the page was removed by Facebook and the disrupters of Peace were not successful in carrying out the defaming contest on 20^th May.

Going forward from here, we will try to assess the actions on part of the Muslims, should all of them had adhered to some (if not all) of Islamic Principles during the time of Fitan (Trials and Tribulation); in this case the Fitnah is “Inciting Disruption of Peace using the defaming ‘Draw Muhammad Day’ contest”.

The First Principle
‘When Fitan emerge and situations change, then one should act with kindness, wisdom and deliberation/tolerance and without haste.’

Contrary to the first principle, the popularity of a small page on Facebook (that had no importance at all) was spread like wildfire. Muslims made a big deal out of it and gave them the importance and popularity they needed to spread their word. Should they have left them alone by being tolerant, people would not have noticed if such an event was ever planned or even took place.

The Second Principle
‘If Fitan emerge or the situations change, then do not give a judgment about anything related to the Fitan or concerning the change in the situation except after fully grasping/understanding it.’

This principle tells us not to give our judgment until we understand the whole issue. Instead, most of the people started reacting of spreading the information of the subject, and some of them even went a step ahead by giving verdicts and using abusive languages (thus not following the desirable etiquettes of a Muslim).

The Fourth Principle

‘The Muslims must stick to the Jama'ah (i.e., the Imams and scholars) of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and abide by their sayings’

The fourth principle should have been very clear to us, which talks about sticking to the wisdom and decision of the Scholars. An incident such as “Draw Muhammad Day” is not something new to us. It has happened in the past, the well-known ‘Danish Cartoons’ Fitnah. The topnotch scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama’ah have already presented their Islamic Rulings (Fatawas) and have very well written advices on how we Muslims should behave/react, when such Fitan arise.

A simple Islamic website like “Islam QA” should have been sufficient for the Web-Savvy Facebook Muslim masses to have known how to search on the fundamentals of approaching these issues (Fitan).

The Fifth Principle

‘A Muslim should weigh the banners that are raised during Fitan – whether state banners or banners of the callers – in the scale of the Sharee'ah – the scale of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah’

One should weigh the banners using the scale of the Sharee’ah during the Times of Fitan. We saw Pages, Groups and Messages on Boycott Facebook, and un-Islamic comments were seen in large numbers (as a response to the “Draw Muhammad Day” page).
We should not forget Facebook and similar Social Networking Tools have also been beneficial to so many Muslims, where they have come to learn a lot of authentic Islamic Knowledge via these tools. If one was to blame a tool for evil, one must not forget the very same tool has also been used to for doing good. Banning the tool will not change people’s hearts and their actions. 

Moreover, if the Government decided to ban Facebook, it should have been that nation’s decision until the issue is resolved (in this case removing of the page from Facebook). Individual efforts to boycott Facebook are nothing but futile attempts.

Furthermore, we forgot how patient and humble our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) was in reaction to people who tortured & abused him in Makkah.

The Seventh Principle

‘Allah has ordered us to align ourselves with the believers, especially the scholars’

This principle tells us what Allah (Glorified be He) has ordered us to do, i.e. “To align ourselves with the believers (especially the scholars)”.

If every Muslim follows this principle in his/her daily life, then the outcome surely should be beneficial for that Muslim as well as others in his contact. The scholars are the best amongst us and a source of knowledge and wisdom. They can surely assist us in matters pertaining to our lives and our belief. If majority of us follow this principle, then all the previously drafted outcomes of adhering to the respective principles would have easily been upheld.

The Eighth Principle

‘Disassociation from the disbelievers’

The eighth principle, in my opinion, was sufficient for all of us so to have avoided the wildfire propagation of this Fitnah. We should have disassociated ourselves from the ideologies & the subsequently based actions of these factions of non-Muslims; who, in the name of freedom of speech, were carrying out defaming attacks on the character of our beloved Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him). If all of us had followed this principle and had not visited and made this page so popular in the first place, then these fanatics would not have got the hype they needed to spread their lowly call and their so called “Freedom of Speech”.

Using only Six of the Nine principles of Fitan, I have tried to highlight the beneficial use of their application. A detailed study and propagation of these principles will help the Muslim masses understand and tackle any sort of Fitan (Trial and Tribulation), Insha-Allah (God-Willing), thus achieving peace and harmony in our lives and that of others.

For detailed study on the course, I would suggest you to go through the book by Shaikh Salih ibn Abdul-Aziz Aal-Shaikh titled “Islamic Principles for the Muslim’s Attitude during Times of Fitan” – Translated by Shawana A. Aziz. (Download the book… here)

Types of Martyrs in Islam

Q. Does a person who died of cancer as a result of smoking attain the status of a martyr?

A. Praise be to Allaah.


It is proven in the saheeh Sunnah that there are various kinds of martyrs who will attain the status of martyrdom in the Hereafter; this is by the grace and mercy of Allah.


It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“The martyrs are five: the one who dies of the plague, the one who dies of a stomach disease, the one who drowns, the one who is crushed beneath a falling wall, and the martyr who is killed for the sake of Allaah.”


Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:


Ibn al-Teen said: All of these are deaths which involve hardship. Allah has bestowed His grace upon the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) by making them means of erasing their sins and increasing their rewards, and enabling them to attain the status of martyrdom.


Fath al-Baari, 6/44


If a person dies of cancer, some of the scholars are of the view that he is included among the types of martyr mentioned in the hadeeth, on the basis that the word mabtoon (the one who dies of a disease in the abdomen) is general and includes everyone who dies of a disease in his abdomen and that this does not apply to any one specific disease.


Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:


The word mabtoon means the one with a disease in the abdomen, which is diarrhoea. Al-Qaadi said: And it was said that he is the one who suffers from dropsy or oedema and swelling of the abdomen. And it was said that it refers to the one who suffers some disease in his abdomen. And it was said that it refers to anyone who dies from a disease in the abdomen in general. End quote from Sharh Muslim by al-Nawawi.


But it should be noted that this suggestion is connected to two conditions:


(i) that the site of the cancer be in the abdomen so that he may truly be said to be mabtoon.


Shaykh ‘Abd al-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad (may Allah preserve him) was asked:


Does a person who dies of cancer come under the heading of mabtoon?


He replied:


No, because cancer is not always in the stomach; it may be somewhere other than the stomach.


Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood (tape no. 230)


As the site of your friend’s cancer was in the throat, he is not included among any of the groups who are regarded as martyrs.


(ii) that the disease should not have been caused by smoking, taking drugs or drinking alcohol, or other haraam things, unless he has repented sincerely from that and has given up consuming those haraam things.


This condition is general and applies to all those mentioned in the hadeeth. If a woman is pregnant as the result of zina and dies in labour, she is not regarded as one of the martyrs. If a person who drowned had boarded the boat or ship in order to commit sin or some immoral activity, and dies as a result of drowning, he is not one of the martyrs. A person who is killed by a falling wall when he is committing zina or drinking alcohol is not one of the martyrs. In the answer to question no. 45669, we have quoted the Standing Committee as saying that a person who dies as the result of a car accident when he was inside the car comes under the same heading as one who was killed by a falling wall, so he is a martyr, by Allah’s leave. But this cannot be applied to those foolish young men to whom this happens when they are racing in their cars, or to those who compete in difficult circumstances in the mountains or in the snow (“extreme sports”).


In the answer to question no. 22140, we quoted Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah as saying that if a person drowns after boarding a ship for sinful purposes, he is not a martyr.


And elsewhere he said:


Whoever wants to follow a path where the possibilities of being safe or being killed are equal has to refrain from following it; if he does not refrain, then he is aiding in his own destruction so he is not a martyr.


Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 5/381


Al-Suyooti (may Allah have mercy on him) said:


Al-Qurtubi said: This and the previous one -- i.e., those who are killed by a falling wall or drowning -- if they did not take risks and did not fail to take precautions, (then they are martyrs). But if they did not take precautions and died as a result of that, then they are sinners.


Al-Deebaaj ‘ala Muslim (4/508)


In al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (26/273, 274) it says:


An exception is made in the case of one who travels for the purpose of sin and dies away from home. Another exception is made in the case of one who drowns but was sinning by boarding the ship when he knew that it was most likely not to be safe for him to do so, or he boarded it for the purpose of committing sin. Another exception is made in the case of a woman who is pregnant as a result of zina and dies in childbirth.
End quote.


If the person who is slain in battle was fighting for the sake of tribalism or to show off, he does not attain the virtue or status of martyrdom, and it is more likely that such people will not attain that great reward.


Summary:

Cancer in and of itself does not mean that the person who dies of it is one of the types of martyrs, unless the disease was in his abdomen. That is not what is stated in the hadeeth; rather it is the ijtihaad (opinion) of some scholars with regard to the meaning of mabtoon. If a person’s disease was caused by smoking and the like, and he dies of it before repenting, then he is not a martyr, even if the disease was in his abdomen. But if the disease in his abdomen was not the result of a haraam action, we hope that he will attain the status of the martyrs in the Hereafter, in sha Allah.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/145203/

The Mercy of Allaah towards His slaves

The Mercy of Allaah towards His slaves

Q. How merciful is Allah, because i heard he loves you more than 70 mothers. Is that true? please explain.

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Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah is the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate, and He is the most Merciful of those who show mercy. His Mercy encompasses all things. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and My Mercy embraces all things”
[al-A’raaf 7:156]

In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah has one hundred parts of mercy, of which He sent down one between the jinn, mankind, the animals and the insects, by means of which they are compassionate and merciful to one another, and by means of which wild animals are kind to their offspring. And Allaah has kept back ninety-nine parts of mercy with which to be merciful to His slaves of the Day of Resurrection.” [Muslim, al-Tawbah, 6908]

It was narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said:
“Some prisoners were brought to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and there was a woman among the prisoners who was searching (for her child). When she found her child she embraced him and put him to her breast. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to us, ‘Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?’ We said, ‘No, by Allaah, not if she is able not to.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘Allaah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’”
[Agreed upon. Al-Bukhaari, 5653; Muslim, 6912]

One aspect of the mercy of Allaah to His slaves is that He sent the Messengers and revealed the Books and laws to organize their lives according to the ways of wisdom, far removed from hardship and difficulty.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:107]

The mercy of Allaah is what will admit His believing slaves to Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. No one will ever enter Paradise because of his deeds alone, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No one’s deeds will ever admit him to Paradise.” They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “No, not even me, unless Allaah shower me with His Mercy. So try to be near to perfection. And no one should wish for death; he is either doing good so he will do more of that, or he is doing wrong so he may repent.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5349; Muslim, 7042]

So the believer must remain in a state between hoping for the mercy of Allaah and fearing His punishment, for Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Declare (O Muhammad) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful.


And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment”
[al-Hijr 15:49-50]

With regard to your saying that Allaah loves us more than seventy mothers, Allaah knows best concerning that. It is sufficient for us to know that the mercy of Allaah encompasses all things. O Allaah, have mercy upon us, O Most merciful of those who show mercy.

Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/cat/12